The signs read: 'Illegal use of motor vehicles will lead to prosecution. Vehicles will be seized without further warning.'

Councillor Rush said: "I'm very positive that this will be effective, especially if it is followed up by Greater Manchester Police.

"Local councillors also have to work hard to provide information; we will all have to work together."

Signs have already been erected at sites in Rochdale thanks to a borough-wide scheme introduced by Community Safety.

Councillor Rush took Mr Reynolds to Heywood's worst-affected sites to highlight where the signs are needed most.

Mr Reynolds said: "With the signs the police can remove the bikes straightaway and the owner will have to pay a fine or the bike will be crushed.

"But then the owner has to produce all of their documentation - insurance, MoT, proof of ownership - and could be looking at bigger fines or a driving ban.

"Half of them we don't see again and the bike goes through the crusher.

"I hope we get thousands of them because one day someone will get killed by one of these bikes."

Police currently have to issue a warning to people driving anti-socially off-road and can confiscate the vehicle for 21 days the next time it is stopped.

But the new council signs mean bikes can be confiscated immediately and owners forced to pay a £120 release fee plus £12 for each day the bike is impounded. The vehicle will be crushed if ownership isn't proven within 21 days.

Mr Reynolds added: "A lot of signs already sited across the borough are what's called 'passive signs'- it isn't illegal to ride there. But with the new signs it makes it illegal."

Rochdale Council recently invested £5,100 to sponsor a GMP quad bike to try and catch offenders.

Mr Reynolds added: "GMP only had three or four quads, which wasn't really enough.

"Every time we needed it, it was elsewhere. Now as soon as we identify a hotspot that is where the bike will sent."